The Houston Grand Opera has announced that it will release another two episodes of the web opera series “Star-cross’d.” The two episodes are entitled “Now” and “A Rose” allow viewers a window into the 21st-century opera viewing experience with short opera films based on a true story with a Romeo and Juliet theme. The series’ pilot, titled “Boundless,” premiered on {…}
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its slate for the 2019-20 season, which will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. As per other season announcements, the focus here will be on opera singers and other such vocal showcases. Things get started with a performance of Verdi’s Requiem with Edward Gardner conducting. Elza van den Heever, Ekaterina Gubanova, {…}
On February 14, 2019, the Park Avenue Armory’s recital series saw the second performance of Austrian tenor Ilker Arcayurek, who made his U.S. recital debut with the performance just three days earlier. The recital featured a program comprised entirely of Franz Schubert songs and lieder, celebrating the composer’s vast body of poetry put to music. Spring & Storm His first {…}
The Dutch National Opera has announced its 2019-20 season featuring a number of new productions, one world premiere, two company premieres, and a many role debuts by some of the top artists in the world. The season opens with “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” in a new production by Robert Carsen. Brandon Jovanovich stars as Canio in Leoncavallo’s masterpiece alongside Ailyn Pérez {…}
The French Institute / Alliance Française (FIAF) will present an HD screening of Robert Carson’s production of Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffman,” performed at the Paris Opera during the 2016/17 season. The screening, a co-presentation with American Friends of The Paris Opera & Ballet in celebration of the company’s 350th anniversary, will be introduced by conductor Joseph Colaneri. Starring Ramón Vargas, the {…}
Germany’s Theater Magdeburg announced on its social media that it had to cancel its premiere of Verdi’s “Otello” on Feb. 16, 2019, due to the illness of both leading performers, Aldo Di Toro (Otello) and Raffaela Lintl (Desdemona). The theatre performed Puccini’s “La Bohème,” directed by Karen Stone, in its place. Baritone Gocha Abuladze, who was set to perform as {…}
The Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theatre has terminated its contract with Russian tenor Khachatur Badalyan. The reason? His short stature. According to Classical Music News RU, it was agreed between the Tatar Opera House and the Premier Art Agency, representing the tenor, that Badalyan would participate in four projects of the International Opera Festival F.I. Chaliapin. He would perform as Pinkerton in {…}
(Image from MariaAgresta.com) The role of Anna Bolena is known as one of the most demanding roles in the soprano repertoire and also the beginning of Donizetti’s Tudor Queen trilogy. It’s a role that has become legendary and one that the greatest divas in the history of opera have taken on. Now Maria Agresta is ready for that challenge as she makes her role {…}
Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West” will be showcased on PBS’s Great Performances From The Met this Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The broadcast will kick off at 12 p.m. EDT and will showcase Jonas Kaufmann as Dick Johnson with Eva-Maria Westbroek as Minnie. This HD showcase was best known for being the long awaited return of Kaufmann to the Met after {…}
On Feb. 22, 2019, audiences around the world will get a chance to experience Mozart’s “Idomeneo” live from the Vienna State Opera via the company’s official live stream service. This particular performance is set to star Bernard Richter, Rachel Frenkel, Irina Lungu, and Valentina Nafornita. Tomas Netopil conducts the production by Kasper Holten. The stream kicks off at 7 p.m. {…}
The Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland, one of the premier summer opera festivals in Europe, is planning an unforgettable edition for the summer of 2019, including visits from Teatro all Scala and from Volksoper Wien, in addition to regular three productions, a concert, and a voice competition. Teatro alla Scala The legendary company from Milan will travel with its orchestra {…}